thebiginterview with… MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY SOFTIE AT HEART “I’m intense when I work,” says the often outspoken dancer. “But I’m a sweet guy.” ON BEING A FIRST-TIME DAD: I’m Terrified I’mGoingto Do Something Wrong! The new father admits he’s more confident on the dance floor than he is changing diapers
CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN: GETTY (3); @IAMVALC; R/R; GETTY; @PETAMURGATROYD As one of Dancing With the Stars’ most seasoned pros, Maksim Chmerkovskiy has taught his fair share of celebs how to tango, jive and waltz. But these days, he’s thinking more about first steps than dance steps — the 37-year-old and his DWTS costar and fiancée, Peta Murgatroyd, 30, welcomed a son, Shai, in January. “It’s not like anything I’ve felt before,” Maks says of fatherhood, “but it’s also terrifying. I’m so concerned about doing the right thing!” The bad boy of the ballroom, who has partnered with Swiffer to celebrate its 18th birthday, recently returned to DWTS after recovering from surgery for a torn calf muscle earlier this season. Here he talks to <strong>In</strong> <strong>Touch</strong> aboutfatherhood,datenightsandhis surprising celebrity crush! What’sthescariestpartofbeing a new dad? MC: Everything has a residual effect.It’snotlikeI’mwalkingoneggshells,butIhavetoberesponsible with my actions and my words. Hashavingababychangedtheway you see Peta? MC: IammoreinlovewithhertodaythanIwasyesterday,anditjust keeps growing. She’s the mother of mychildbutshe’salsomyperson, anditwillalwaysbeallabouther. Aww! What kind of mom is she? MC: <strong>In</strong>credible. I think some people are just inherently amazing parents, and that is Peta. She was born to be an incredible mom. How are you helping her out? MC: I am picking up whatever slack I can, sweeping up spills with the baby in my hand — it’s the little things in life! What is the best part about being a dad? MC: Just having that connection. It changes everything. I will inevitably be happy as long as Shai and Peta are happy, but if they are not, I will neverbehappy. Do you hope Shai will grow up to be adancerlikeyouandPeta? MC: Whatever he wants to do with his life, professionally, is up tohim.Ijustwanthimtobeaneducated, smart, athletic, kind, polite, empathic person. The first few months of parenthood are crazy. Have you and Peta been abletogooutatall,justthetwo of you? MC: We’ve started going out a bit, yes.Buttobehonestwithyou,we can’twaittogetbacktothebaby! BACK ON THE DANCE FLOOR Maks and DWTS partner HeatherMorriswere recently eliminated. ON A LIGHTER NOTE … Maksim answers our silliest questions! WHO’S MADE YOU MOST STARSTRUCK? John Travolta. WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING? Nothing!Myplanelandedat2inthemorning, andIwokeuptodayat5:45a.m.Idon’teven knowwhattimeitisnow! HAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD NICKNAME? My name is Maksim but the sweet version was Maksusah, and dad still calls me that. When I hear my name as “Maksim” in Russian, that means some s--- went down! WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG? “The Seed (2.0)” by the Roots. PROUD PARENTS “<strong>In</strong>owhaveabiggerpurposein life,” says Maks (with son Shai andsoon-to-bewifePeta). WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH? Hillary Clinton! TUNE IN! Dancing With the Stars airsMondaysat8p.m.onABC INTOUCHWEEKLY.COM 45